AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
American Idol moved into its final four week with the finalists each doing two songs penned by the Bee Gees, with coaching and encouragement from Barry Gibb...
Melinda Doolittle chose the Bee Gees' hits "Love You Inside and Out" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart." The first song didn't knock the socks off the judges, with Simon Cowell's harshest criticism calling the performance "more of a backing vocalist performance. It wasn't a star's performance. You are better than that." With "Broken Heart," Randy Jackson said, "great song, great vocal, beautiful ending."
Jordin Sparks is the other singer whose stock was up after last night's episode. Jordin's greatest praise may have come from Barry Gibb, who after working with her on "To Love Somebody," said, "I haven't heard a greater version than Jordin's." Later in the show, Gibb spoke of her work on "Woman in Love" -- which was written by the Bee Gees and a hit for Barbra Streisand. "This is going to be, I think, one of our greatest female recording artists."
LaKisha Jones didn't floor the judges with her version of "Stayin' Alive." Paula Abdul told her, "It's always good to gauge the audience, and everyone is on their feet, but taking the tempo down took everyone ready to be dancing and it kind of brought them down a little bit." Simon was giving her "no kiss tonight, baby" for her "Stayin' Alive," and after her rendition of "Run to Me," told her bluntly, "I think you and Blake are vulnerable tonight."
Randy Jackson called Blake Lewis's first offering, "You Should Be Dancing," "corny" and told Blake, "You know what's really interesting is that sometimes when you do the beat box and it works. Tonight for me, dog, it really didn't work. That song didn't need none of that." Blake chose a non-hit with "This Is Where I Came In," which was exciting for Barry Gibb, but not for Simon, who called the song, "completely tuneless. I don't know why you chose it. I don't think you had a good night tonight."
So here's the official prediction... This is the week someone big always goes home... Latoya London got sent home instead of Jasmine Trias, Chris Daughtry went home instead of Elliott Yamin, and even Tamyra Gray went home in the Final Four week. I hope I'm wrong, but I think it will be Melinda and Lakisha in the Bottom 2 tonight, and I think Melinda may go home! It would be truly unfair as Blake and Lakisha are more worthy candidates, but mark my words, I think something shocking could happen tonight!
Either way, JD Roberto will join us again tomorrow with the backstage scoop!
MOM BY THE NUMBERS
*There were 80.5 million mothers in the United States in 2001.
*Women today can expect to have 2.1 children.
*There were 4.1 million births in the United States in 2005.
*July is the most popular month in which to have a baby.
*Tuesday is the most popular day of the week.
*77% of moms feel raising a child is more difficult today than it was a generation ago.
*27% say their mothers were horrible at giving advice.
*36% wish they were more like their own mom, while 31% wished they were less like their mothers.
*As for favorite Mother’s Day presents, 61% selected hugs and kisses, trailed by a handmade gift/card. Forty-five percent chose spa treatments and 39% a romantic dinner.
*When asked about the joys of motherhood, 73% of women found their child’s early years the most enjoyable; 47% cited those same years as the most challenging.
*52% say the most difficult thing about being a mother is finding alone time.
*39% say that while their husbands help with major decisions, they take care of their child’s daily needs; 33% say their husbands leave everything up to them.
*16% of mothers admit to having a favorite child but an overwhelming 84% say they love their kids equally.
*52% of mothers would employ someone around the home if it were affordable.
*49% said Debra Barone from “Everybody Loves Raymond” was the TV mom most like themselves, with Clair Huxtable (24%), Lorelai Gilmore (20%) and Bree Van De Kamp (7%) following.
GAS BOYCOTT
Heard about the gas boycott being planned nationwide for next week? Here's why it won't work.
DANCING WITH THE STARS
In what could be construed as one of the most torturous tenures and anticipated departures since the Dancing With the Stars' inception, country star Billy Ray Cyrus was finally shown the door last night. But Billy Ray didn't leave without resolving Monday's conflict with judge Bruno Tonioli, who called the singer's fox trot "crap." Show host Samantha Harris asked Billy Ray backstage if he was still bitter about Tonioli's comments, and Billy replied, "Lord, no. This is a celebration! I'm getting ready to do the Jimmy Kimmel show" -- which is where departing contestants land after their final performance. What may come as a surprise is that Billy Ray was joined in the red spotlight by 'N Sync's Joey Fatone, who entered this round in second place with a score of 55. In next week's round, Joey joins 90210's Ian Ziering, female boxer Laila Ali and Olympic speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno.
